Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Introduction
Erythroblastosis fetalis is a potentially life-threatening blood disorder in a fetus or newborn infant. This article provides a general overview.
What are the symptoms of Hemolytic disease of the newborn?
Symptoms in a newborn baby may include:
- Anemia
- Edema (swelling under the surface of the skin)
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Hydrops (fluid throughout the body’s tissues, including in the spaces containing the lungs, heart, and abdominal organs)
- Newborn jaundice
What causes Hemolytic disease of the newborn?
- Erythroblastosis fetalis develops in an unborn infant when the mother and baby have different blood types. The mother produces substances called antibodies that attack the developing baby’s red blood cells.
- The most common form of erythroblastosis fetalis is ABO incompatibility, which can vary in severity.
- The less common form is called Rh incompatibility, which can cause very severe anemia in the baby.
Diagnosis
Specific tests depend on the type of erythroblastosis, but may include:
- Complete blood count
- Bilirubin level
- Blood typing
Treatment options
- After birth, depending on the severity, a transfusion usually needs to be performed.
- For specific treatment information, see:
Where to find medical care for Hemolytic disease of the newborn?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hemolytic disease of the newborn
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The severity of this condition can vary widely.
- In some instances, the baby has no symptoms of the disease.
- In other cases, it can lead to death of the baby before or shortly after birth.
- It can be treated before birth by intrauterine transfusion.
Possible complications
Complications depend on the specific type of erythroblastosis fetalis.
Prevention
- The most severe form of this disease, Rh incompatibility, can be prevented if the mother takes a medicine called RhoGAM at certain times during and after pregnancy.
- If you have had a baby with this disease, be sure to talk with your doctor if you plan on having another baby.
Source
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Want to know more?
A more detailed clinical article for the same condition is available from WikiDoc. It is written for medical professionals and uses technical language.